By Josh Davis, Associate Editor

(Oct. 26, 2017) The Worcester County Developmental Center (WCDC) honored Dough Roller founder Bill Gibbs and Cecil Tull of ABC Printers Inc. last Wednesday with a pair of room dedications.

The Newark center provides employment, job training and residency for people with intellectual disabilities.

Dozens of WCDC backers attended the ceremony, which included food prepared by several of the clients.

“All the people that are gathered here — it just never ceases to amaze or humble me the number of people in the community who support us, who have no ties to us other than a love for our clients, a love to help see them succeed, a love for their fellow man,” Executive Director Jack Ferry said.

WCDC Board President Ed Reid said the event was a chance to recognize two people who have supported the nonprofit for many years.

“Forty-three years ago, this place wasn’t here. We didn’t have an organization to serve these individuals. They were relegated to the sidelines,” Reid said. “Their interest and the community’s interest in this organization is helping us to fulfill our mission to help individuals realize their full potential, to be members of this community, to work [and] live in this community, and to make money and to spend money in our community.”

Also present were County Commissioners Jim Bunting and Chip Bertino.

“If you want to know the sense of the community … just come here,” Bertino said. “Everything that we hold most dear about who we want to be as a community can be found within these walls – the people who work here, and the clients who are here as well, doing their very best to make us all proud.”

Because money is tight at the county level, Bunting said, it’s important to recognize those who support organizations like WCDC.

“If we had to do it by ourselves, we’d be in big trouble,” he said. “Thank everyone here that came here tonight. You’re really helping the county, but you’re also doing a good thing by being here.”

For 13 years, Ferry said, Tull and Gibbs helped run the annual charity golf tournament at the Ocean City Golf Club. Over that period, the tournament has raised more than $195,000 for client services at the center, he said.

“They have incredible God-given talents and abilities, and these gentlemen are helping them reach the stars, reach their dreams and achieve their dreams,” Ferry said.

Gibbs, an Ocean City native, opened the first Dough Roller restaurant in 1980. The popular pizza, sub and sandwich shop has four locations on the resort.

“I’m frustrated – $195,000 doesn’t ring a good bell with me. You should’ve called me, we could’ve got this thing up to $200,000,” Gibbs said, drawing a big laugh from the audience.

Tull has operated ABC Printers on Grays Corner Road in Berlin for more than 35 years. Ferry said Tull came up with the idea for the golf tournament and has been a tireless supporter of the center.

“We’re very fortunate,” Ferry said. “I say this truly, Cecil Tull is the person we should all strive to be.”

The WCDC boardroom was dedicated to Tull and the cafeteria was dedicated to Gibbs.

For more information on WCDC, visit www.wcdcservices.org.